Typewriting machine



Nov. '7, 1939. c, R MABON 2.179.156

TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed sept. 25, 1936 4 3 sheets-sheet 1 Nov. 7, 1939.. ci.' R. MABoN 2,179,156

TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed Sept. 25. 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 7, 1939. c. R. MABoN TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed Sept. 25, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Nov. 7, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE TYPEWRITING MACHINE Carl R. Mahon, Niagara Falls, N. Y., assignor to Gilman Fanfold Corporation, Niagara, Falls, N. Y., a. corporation of Delaware The invention relates to machines utilizable in recording data on paperor record strips, such as ordinary typewriting machines, billing machines, tabulating machines, teletype machines, autographic registers, land other recording machines, and has special relation to feeding and controlling the paper vrecord strip or strips in the passage thereof through such machines.

It is an object of the present invention to provide paper feeding mechanism comprising a movable chain the links of which have a series of axially slidable feed pins adapted to enter and feed the paper. Another object is to cause a plu- 1 rality of such pins to have simultaneous feeding a. straight path. Another object is to provide spring projected pins for the purpose stated, and

means for withdrawing said .pins and releasing the same for paper engagement, withdrawing the 20 pins from paper engagement and releasing the pins again during movement of said chain. Qther objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

` The invention consists in the novel construction and combinations of parts as set forth in 25 the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is a perspective View of the invention as applied to an ordinary typewriting machine.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal Vertical section of 30 the same, with parts broken away, the strip feeding mechanism being shown in side elevation. f

r Figure 3 is a side view ofthe-machine Withl "complete the cycle of movement during moveparts broken away, the courseyof the paper-be- 35 ing shown in broken lines.

Figure 4 is a detail sectionon the (f-4,V

- r being described as follows: Figure 5 is a detail section on the'lin'e 5 4, I.

Figure 2, parts being shown as brokenaway.

Figure 2, parts being shown as broken away.,

Figure 6 is a detail perspective' .view of, the frame support for the paper feeding means and the pin abutment means, showing the sprocket" wheels for the chain and the driving sprocket for said chain` parts being broken away.

Figure '7 is a perspective view in detail of the spring impelled` paper guide and retaining device,

the spring being omitted, and this device being shown as raised to inoperative position.

Figure 8 is a detail perspective view of one 50 link of the chain with its spring projected pin.

Figure 9 is a detail secti-sn of the same on theline 9-9, Figure 10.

Figure 10 is a detail section of the same on the line Ill-I9, Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a detail perspective view of a modified form of pin abutment'means Figure 12 and Figure 13 are detail perspective views of stationery that may be used, in part broken away.

This invention is related to those described engagement with the paper record strips along in applicants copending applications Serial No. 54,102 and Serial No. 96,516, and constitutes improvements over said prior copending applica- "tions,

In these drawings, the numeral I designates a typewriting machine of the ordinary type, said machine having a paper carriage 2, shiftable as customary, a cylindrical rotary platen 3 being Hmounted on said carriage to shift therewith. The type bars are shown in part at 4, the line spacing ratchet wheel 5 is controlled by a 'suitable line spacing pawl and a detent as customary, a nger wheel for manual control of the platen `is shown at 6, and the character keys are shown at 1.

Located to one side of the platen and independent of contact therewith is the paper 'feedy ing mechanism, described as follows:

Alternate links 8 of an endless chain are provided with an endless succession of pins 9, a plurality of which have simultaneous engagement with a plurality of feed apertures -I 0 of paper record strips II to pull said strips from around the platen and feed the same along a straight path. The pins 9 of said chain are axially sliflable and normally spring projected from their seats and means are provided to withdraw the pins against tension of their springs and release the same for paper engagement; to cause a plurality of the pins to have simultaneous feeding engagement with the paper along a straight path; and to withdraw the pins from paper engagement and release the pins again to ment of the chain, after which the pins are returned with the chain to first position, this means Alternate nnks sy of the chain have each a pin ".'slupporting part I2, laterally projecting therevided at its inner end with aflateral roller I'I and at its outer end portion with a collar I8, a coiled spring I9 surrounding said pinbeing located between said collar and the part I2 and causing the 'outer end portion of. the pin to be normally projected from its seat. Each pin supporting brack- Vet I2 with attached parts thus forms a housing for the spring I9, and provides a support in which the pin 9 is slidably positioned for projection and retraction. The spring I 9 is stressed between one wall of the housing and the collar or follower plate l 8 which is secured to the pin. The pins 9 are cylindrical with rounded tips. A member- 20' whereon the chain travels in part, forms a support for those chain links carrying pins'engaged with the feed apertures of the paper record strips in feeding the same along a means 23 at the other end of said member acting to withdraw the pins from paper engagement against the tension of their springs, the pins being released upon passage of said rollers out of engagement with the last named abutment means and returning with the chain to first position.

The paper feeding mechanism is embodied in a self contained unit readily attachable to the paper carriage of the machine or other support, said unit being described as follows:

Parallel spaced brackets 24 are provided at the ends thereof with -ball bearings 25 for the stub shafts 26 of the end sprockets I4 of the chain 8, each sprocket wheel I4 being in duplicate and fast to a sleeve 21, set screws 28 engaging aligned threaded apertures of the hubs of said Wheels and said sleeve and bearing upon said stub shafts to make the parts rotate in unison. The aforesaid member 20 is secured to the inner of said brackets by screws 29 engaging an extension 30 of said member. Guide and retaining means for the paper are provided asa part of said unit, comprising a plate 3l pivoted at its outer end at 32 to a support 33, and at its inner end having a slotted foot 34, the slot 35 of which is long enough to receive the rounded tips of those pins 9 of the chain 8 which happen to be engaged with the feed apertures of the paper in feeding the same along a straight path, a spring 35 secured to said plate at 36 being curved upwardly over and slida- Ably engaging a rolle;` 31 of said support to there- "by hold the spring tensioned to press the slotted foot 34 of said plate towards the paper record strips, an integral stop 38 of said support engaging said plate to limit the movement, said plate being adapted to be raised to inoperative position against the tension of its spring as seen in Figure '7. The support 33 is secured to the outer of said brackets 24 by screws 39.

A single attachment bolt 40 for said unit engages a center perforation 4| of each of ysaid brackets and is provided with a nut 42 threaded thereon' to clamp said unit securely in position relative to a standard or other support to be described and the upper end of which in the present application fits between said brackets, said bolt also engaging a perforation of said standard, and a suitable spacing collar 93 being located between the inner of said brackets and said standard, as seen in Figure 5.

The stub shafts 26 of the sprocket Wheels I4 engage perforationsof said standard, as seen in Figure 4. In applying the .aforesaid unit to the machine, the stub shafts 26 are first removed after suitable adjustment of the set screws 28,

the parts lined up, and the stub shafts reinserted in position, after which the attachment bolt 40 is inserted in position.

The endless chain of the paper feeding means is shown as driven by sprocket chain 44, engaging a sprocket wheel 45 `on the platen shaft and a sprocket wheel 46 on the shaft of the forward sprocket wheel of the paper feeding means. Obviously a gear drive may be substituted.

The usual paper feed rollers 41 contacting the platen are shown as moved to inoperative position in Figure 2, the feeding mechanism for the paper record strips disclosed herein dispensing with the need of such feed rollers, when desired.

It is preferred to utilize the paper strip feeding mechanism disclosed herein for the feeding of a record strip having a series of preformed feed apertures, and whereas pin feed mechanism for coaction with both margins of the record strips may be used, as seen in Figure 13,.it is preferred yto arrange the pin feed mechanism for coacton with but one margin of the record strip as seen in Figure 12. By so doing, practically the full width of the machine is available for consideration and manipulation of the record strips, and also record strips of different widths may be employed without altering the position of the pin feeding mechanism.

Referring to Figure 12, three relatively superposed record strips ll are shown, such` strip assemblage having two interleaved transfer or carbon strips 48, the transfer strips being narrower than the record strips. In each of the record strips is a row or series of feed apertures I0, the record strips having each a series of similar printed forms underlying one another in registered or aligned relation when the feed apertures I0 of the forms are in superposed registry. There isbut one series of feed apertures I0 in the record strips of Figure 12, the carbon strips 48 being disposed laterally out of registry with the feed apertures I0, and the respective strips being independent one of another.

In Figure 13, the printed forms and feed apertures have the same relation to each other as Yexplained in connection with Figure 12, but in showing of Figures 12 and 13, staples 49 serve to attach the several superposed strips together, these attaching devices being distributed at intervals throughout' the lengths of the assemblage of strips, and preferably being on the transverse weakening lines 59, so that when the tear off is made along such lines, the staples will drop out. As shown in Figure 13, the carbon sheets may be provided with arcuate central slits 5|.

means, as the staples 49, may be omitted if desired.

In the use of stationery such as shown in Figure 13, the paper feeding means described herein may be duplicated, this however not being preferred. In order to support the paper feeding mechanism, a standard 53 is secured to one end `,of the paper carriage of the machine by screws ,the attachment bolt 40 and the stub shaftj25 engaging perforations of said standard as' explained. Should the paper feeding means described herein be duplicated at the other end of paper carriage, the standard 53 would be diiplicat'ed also, and in this case the stub shafts 26 would extend across the width ofthe said carriage.

. In order to support the paper guides to be described, spaced standards 55- are securedto each end of the paper carriage 2, one of saldstandards being bolted directly to the end of `said crriage at 56, and the other standard' being screwed to the standard 53 at 51.

'Ihe paper guides 58, of which there are threev as shown, one'at each end of the paper carriage and one in the middle, spaced from one another, have each lateral depending flanges 53, provided with perforations engaged by lower cross rods 60, the latter connecting the standards .55, and the paper guides being slidably adjustable. along said cross rods. An upper cross rodl connecting said standards 55 is spacedrearwardly of the paper feeding means and servesas a support for the paper record strips as they are fedrearwardly out ofthe machine, as seen in Figure 2.

The standards 55 being connectedby the afore said cross rods, a rigid framingis formed, which is secured to the standard 53 as stated to forni a rigid whole, so that the -paper feeding mechanism and the paper guides are all mounted onva framing readily attachable as a unit to the paper carriage of the machine.

I'he paper guides 58 have curv'ed bottoms which rest at their forward ends upon the rear ends of the usual paper table 62 of the .carriage to for-:m rearward extensions thereof. The lateral of these paper guides have each an outer' lateral upstanding flange 63, and said guides being adjustable as stated, the flanges thereofare adapted to abut against the opposite edges of the paper record strip assemblage -to retain the latter in proper position engaged with the pins of the paper feeding means during endwlse shifting of the carriage, such shifting being subject to abrupt halts which such engagement. V

In order to hold the paper record strip assemblage down lightly to the saidguldes l, each of the lateral guides may beA provided with an attachment comprising a spring clasp 54 engageable overthe upstanding flange of the .guide ,and

having a lateral extension 65 overlying and'spaced from the guide to form a guideway for the paper.

In Figure 11 of the drawingsis shown a modication of the member 20 and its pin abutment l means'comprising a continuous flange 2da, Having a continuous grooved track 2mr wherein travel the lateral rollers o f the pins 9 `of the chain. In

this modification, the pins shave no springs, the lateral rollers of the pins engaging the cam 2lb at one en'd portion of' said track to thereby raise said pins from their seats', thepins remaining projected or raised during passage of saidrollers along the straightl raised or 'offset portion 2Ic of said track, and being withdrawnlbyengagement of the rollers with the cam 2id atI the other end portion ofthe track. y

It will be observed that thel pinsupports `or plates I2 are disposed in a plane insidethe line might otherwise disturb of centers though the pivotal axes I3 of the links (see Figures 2, 8, 9 and 10). stood however that plates I2 may be disposed in the plane of said line of centers and that several advantages in respect to simplicity of construction of the (feed mechanism and strip feeding and controlling of the strip or strips follow whether the plates I2 be disposed at one or the other of theplanes mentioned. However, when the above described Aconstruction is associated with the pin supports I2 in planes inside that of said line of centers, as illustrated, the feeding of the strips, and especially the feeding of relatively 'superposed strips, is controllable to greater advantage. and alignment of superposed strips at the printing line of the platen may be better perfected.

The chain of links is oneform of flexible pinguiding band, which passes around the longitudinally spaced sprocket wheels I4, the line'of connection or line of stress longitudinally through the band, corresponding to the line following around the band through the pivotal axes of the links. In the chain type of bandillustrated this 'I2 are located at points inside of the line of centors or line of stress of the flexible band or chain. Since the feed pins as shown are mounted to one side of the flexible band or chain it is more nearly accurate to say that the pin supports I2 are located at points inside of the pitch surface. The pitch surface maybe defined as an imaginary surface lying substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of thefeed pins and passing through and defined by th'e pitch line or line of stress.

I t will also be noted that each pin support I2 has the two walls I5 upstanding from the plate I2. The plate or wall I6 has an aperture in axial alignment with the pin 9 and the plates I5 and I2 It is to be underoutside that of the pin support I2, and, during feeding, the strips rest upon this outer plate I6, as shown inf'Figure 4. The respective links of the chain, together with the plate I2 and the two I.

upstanding walls I5 are preferably` made/ of integral material bent-to shape, the two upstandingv walls'. I5 having the outer plate I6 in fixed relation thereto.

During travel of the band or chain, the 'pins II vare given axial movement transversely of the supports I2, the spring I9 effecting such movement outwardly of the chain at a predetermined interval in the travel of the pin, the inward movement ofthe pin being effected by the part 2I of the element 20xhereinbefore mentioned.

In themodiflcation illustratedr in Fig. 1 1,tlie.

cam groove is continuous andA cooperates' with the follower II to move each pin axially outward- 1y. and; inwardly of the band in apositive-man'- er, which may be without the assistance of anyv spring. 4 y

By disposing the pin supporting ,plates I 2` at points inside of the line of connection or pitch surface of the chain, the free terminal of the pin 9 which receives the strip apertures thereover may be located as desired relative to the pitch surface of the chain, and room is provided for positioning the cam follower I1 and that portion of the pin beneath the strips, well inside of the pitch surface.

I claim:

1. In a' machine of the character described in combination, strip feeding mechanism comprising a series of axially slidable feed pins adapted to enter and feed a strip, a flexible chain on which said pins are mounted, carrying means for said chain, and means for thrusting said pins into strip engagement and for withdrawing the pins from such engagement during movement of said chain, each alternate link of the chain having a lateral extension provided with upper and lower apertured members the apertures of which are engaged by the pin f the link. o 2. In a machine of the character described in combination, strip feeding mechanism comprising an endless series of axially slidable spring projected feed pins adapted to enter and feed a strip,

a flexible endless chain on which said pins are mounted, carrying Wheels for said chain, and means for withdrawing said pins against the tension of their springs and releasing the same for strip engagement, withdrawing the pins and releasing the same again during movement of said chain, each alternate link of said chain having a lateral extension provided with upper and lower apertured members the apertures of which arev engaged by the related pin.

3. In a machine of the character described, in combination, strip feeding mechanism comprising an endless series of axially slidable feed pins adapted to enter and feed a strip and having lateral rollers, an endless flexible chain on which said pins are mounted, carrying wheels for said chain, and means for thrusting said pins into strip engagement. and for withdrawing the pins from such engagement during movement of said chain to, cause a plurality of said pins to have simultaneous feeding engagement with the strip along a straight path including an endless track engaged by said rollers and having at the end portions thereof abutment cams for said rollers and an outwardly offset straight abutment portion connecting said abutment cams.

4. In a machine of the character described in combination, a series of axially slidable feed pins adapted to enter and to feed a strip, a iiexible, pin-guiding band movable to effect feed movement of said pins, and having a series of supports on which said pins are slidably mounted respectively, the respective pin-supports disposed inside the pitch surface of said band, and means, including a continuous cam groove and a cooperative cam follower on each said pin, cooperable to slide each pin axially outwardly and inwardly Aof said band during its travel with said band.

5. In a machine of the character vdescribed in combination, a series of axially slidable feed pins adapted to enter and to feed a strip, a flexible, pin-guiding band movable to effect feed movement of said pins, andhaving a series of pin supports on which said pins are mounted respectively, the respective pin supports each having a part disposed inside of the pitch surface of said band and having a part forming a strip support positioned outside of said first mentioned pin supporting part, said inside and outsideparts of each pin support being spaced apart to form a spring housing, and a controlling'spring in each of said spring housings and operatively connected to the respective pin. 1

6. In a machine of the character described in combination, a series of axially slidable feed pins adapted to enter and to feed a strip, a fiexible, pin-guiding band movable to effect feed movement of said pins, and having a series of pin supports on which said pins are respectively slidably mounted, eachof said pin supports having inner and outer pin controlling walls, each said pin being axially slidable between said walls and having a laterally projecting cam follower, said walls veach having an aperture in axial alignment with and receiving said pin, said cam follower of each pin lying inside of said inner wall, each said pin having a collar between said walls, and a spring interposed between said collar and said inner wall.

'7. In a machine of the character described in combination, a series of axially slidable feed pins adapted to enter and to feed a strip, a fiexible, pin-guiding chain of connected links movable to effect feed movement of said pins, and having a series of pin supports on the respective chain links and each having a laterally projecting plate and walls upstanding from said plate, said link, plate and walls being of integral material bent to shape, and each said feed pin being movably mounted between said walls and having a part extending through said plate. l

8. In a machine of the character described in combination, a series of axially slidable feed pins adapted to enter and to feed a strip, a flexible, pin-guiding chain of connected links movable to effect feed movement of said pins, and having a series of pin supports on the respective chain links and each having a laterally projecting plate and walls upstanding from said plate, said link, plate and walls being of integral material bent to shape, a second plate opposite and spacedy from said first mentioned plate and in fixed relation to said walls, and each said feed pin being movably mounted between said walls and having a part extending through said first mentioned plate, said second plate having an aperture through which said pin is adapted to project.

9. In a machine of the character described in combination, strip feeding mechanism including a series of projectable and retractable feed pins adapted to enter and feed a' strip, a chain of flexibly connected links on which said pins are mounted, driving means for said chain, a supporting rail having a section positioned along the path of strip feed for supporting the chain links having the feed pins in strip feeding engagement, cam abutments positioned at the opposite longitudinal extremities of said supporting rail, and operating connections for each of said. pins cooperating with said cam abutments during feed travel of said chain to control the projection and retraction of said feedpins to and from strip feeding engagement.

10. In a machine of the character described in l combination, strip feeding mechanism including a series of projectable and retractable feed pins adapted to enter and feed a strip, a chain of flexibly connected links on which said pins are mounted,` driving means for said chain, a supporting rail having: a section vpositioned valong the path of strip feed forsupporting the chain links having the feed pins in strip feeding engagement, cam' abutments positioned at the opposite longitudinal extremities of said supporting rail,`and operating connections for each of said pins cooperating with said cam abutments during feed travel of said chain to control the projection and retraction of said feed pins to and from .strip feeding engagement, said operating connections including a cam follower connected to each feed pin and operatively engaging said cam abutments.

11. In a machine of the character described, in combination, strip feeding mechanism including a series of feed pins adapted to enter and feed a strip, a c hain f flexibly connected links on which said pins are mounted, each of said pin carrying links having a pin supporting bracket extending laterally from the chain into a position overlapping the strip path, said pins being mounted on the respective said brackets for projection into strip engaging position and for retraction, a spring carried by each said supporting bracket and having operative connection with the corresponding "pin, and automatic means operating in coordination with said springs for controlling the projection and retraction of said pins on said brackets during feeding movements of said chain.

12; In a machine of the character described, in combination, strip feeding mechanism including a series of feed pins adapted to enter and feed a strip, a chain of flexibly connected links on which said pins are mounted, each of said pin carrying links having a pin supporting bracket extending laterally from the chain into a position overlapping the strip path, said pins being mounted on the respective said brackets for projection into strip engaging position and for retraction, a spring carried by each said support- Iing bracket and having operative connection with the corresponding pin, automatic means operating in coordination with said springs for controlling the projection and retraction of said pins on said brackets during feeding movements of said chain, and a spring housing carried by each said supporting bracket for housing the corresponding pin controlling spring.

13. In a machine of the character described, in combination, strip feeding mechanism including a series of feed pins adapted to enter and feed a strip, a chain of flexibly connected links on which said pins are mounted, each of said pin carrying links having a pin supporting bracket extending laterally from the chain into a position overlapping the strip path, said pins being mounted on the respective said brackets for projection into strip engaging position and for retraction, a springcarried byeach said supportingbracket and having operative connection with the corresponding pin, a supporting rail having a section positioned along the path of strip feed in supporting relation with said supporting brackets, and cam means positioned in the vicinity of one extremity of said supporting rail and having operative connection with said pins and operating in coordination with said springs for controlling the projection and retraction of said pins on said brackets during feeding movements of said chain.

14. In a machine of the character described, in combination, strip feeding mechanism including a series of feed pins adapted to enter and feed a strip, a chain of flexibly connected links on which said pins are mounted, each of said pin carrying links having a pin supporting bracket extending laterally from the chain into a position overlapping the strip path,'said pins being mounted on the respective said brackets for projection into strip engaging position and for retraction, a spring carried by each said supporting bracket and having operative connection with the corresponding pin, a supporting rail having a section positioned along the path of strip feed in supporting relation with said supporting brackets, and cam means positioned in the vicinity of each of the opposite longitudinal extremities of said supporting Arail and cooperating with the pins to retract them against spring resistance at predetermined positions in the feeding operation.

15. In a machine of the character described, in combination, strip feeding mechanism including a series of feed pins adapted to enter and feed a strip, a chain of flexibly connected links on which said pins are'mounted, each of said pin carrying links having a pin supporting bracket extending laterally from the chain intoa position overlapping the strip path, said pins being mounted on the respective said brackets for projection into strip engaging position and for retraction, a spring carried by each said supporting bracket and having operative connection with the corresponding pin, a supporting rail having a section positioned along the path of strip feed in supporting relation with said supporting brackets, cam means positioned in the vicinity of each of the opposite longitudinal extremities of said supporting rail and cooperating with the pins to retract them against spring resistance at predetermined positions `in the feeding operation, and a spring housing carried by each said supporting bracket for vhousing the corresponding pin controlling spring, each said feed pin being mounted for translatory movement with reference to one of said spring housings.

16. In a machine of the character described, in combination, strip feeding mechanism including a series of feed pins adapted to enter and feed a strip, a chain of flexibly connected links on which said pins are mounted, each of said pin carrying links having a pin supporting bracket extending laterally from the chain to a position overlapping the strip path but terminating in a free' end disposed inwardly of the opposite longitudinal edges of the strip path, said pins being mounted on the respective said-brackets for projection into strip engaging position and for retraction, a spring carried by each said supporting bracket and having operative connection with the corresponding pin, a spring housing carried by each supporting bracket for housing the corresponding pin controlling spring and slidably mounted, each of said pin supports having inner'andouter pin controlling walls providing a spring housing, each of said pins being axially slidable between said walls and having a laterally projecting cam follower, said outer wall having an aperture in axial alignment with and receiving said pin, a spring follower connected to each pin within the respective housing, and a spring in each said housing and cooperating with said follower for controlling pin movements.

CARL R. MABON. 

